Feeling Overwhelmed? Ditch the Generic Tips and Try These 5 Unique Strategies
The feeling of being overwhelmed can be universal, but the solutions don’t have to be. Forget the same old advice you see everywhere. This blog offers 5 unconventional yet effective tips to help you combat overwhelm and regain control.
Channel your inner child: When responsibilities pile up, it's easy to feel bogged down. Tap into your childhood self and engage in a playful activity you used to enjoy. Whether it's building a pillow fort, coloring a complex mandala, or playing a silly game, letting loose can bring a surprising sense of calm and perspective.
Embrace the power of scent: Our sense of smell is intricately linked to memory and emotion. Create a calming olfactory experience by crafting a custom "de-stressing" scent. Combine a few drops of essential oils like lavender, chamomile, or bergamot with a carrier oil like jojoba or almond, and dab it on your wrists or temples. Inhale deeply and let the soothing aroma wash over you.
Challenge your perspective: Sometimes, feeling overwhelmed stems from a distorted perspective. Instead of focusing on the enormity of the situation, try looking at it through a different lens. Imagine explaining the situation to a trusted friend or mentor. What advice would they give? How would they view the challenge? Shifting your perspective can help you feel more empowered and in control.
Engage your senses in nature: Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and smells of nature. Go for a walk in a park, sit by a babbling brook, or simply gaze at the clouds. Immersing yourself in the natural world has a calming effect, reminding us that we are part of something bigger than ourselves.
Practice random acts of kindness: When we feel overwhelmed, it's easy to become self-absorbed. Shifting your focus outwards and performing a random act of kindness can be surprisingly effective in reducing stress. Leave a positive note for a colleague, hold the door open for a stranger, or volunteer your time for a cause you care about. Helping others can remind you of your own strength and the positive impact you can have on the world, even in small ways.
Remember, these are just a few suggestions, and the most effective strategies will vary from person to person. Experiment and find what unique approaches work best for you. Feeling overwhelmed is a normal part of life, but it doesn't have to control you. By incorporating these unique strategies into your self-care routine, you can find moments of calm and navigate challenges with a renewed sense of perspective and purpose. Remember, what works for others may not work for you, so experiment and discover the approaches that bring you the most relief.
Here are 5 Positive Affirmations that can help:
"I am more than my circumstances. I have the strength and creativity to find unique solutions."
"Even small steps forward are progress. I celebrate my journey, not just the destination."
"My perspective is powerful. I choose to see challenges as opportunities for growth."
"Kindness is a two-way street. By helping others, I also empower myself."
"I am not alone in this. There is strength and support available when I need it."
Products** I love that have helped me with overwhelm:
(**please note these are affiliate links, but I only recommend what I personally use!)
Herb Pharm Lemon Balm Tincture (alcohol free)
Herb Pharm Lemon Balm Tincture
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), a member of the mint family, is considered a calming herb. It was used as far back as the Middle Ages to reduce stress and anxiety, promote sleep, improve appetite, and ease pain and discomfort from indigestion (including gas and bloating, as well as colic). This effect doesn’t happen immediately, but within a few days or weeks, you may feel a difference. Plus, it tastes delicious! Lemon balm might cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Some medications, called sedatives, can also cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Taking lemon balm with sedative medications might cause breathing problems and/or too much sleepiness.*
Aura Cacia “Chill Pill” Essential Oil
My favorite essential oil! I don’t leave home without it (eg, when I travel…)
Aura Cacia Chill Pill Essential Oil Blend combines sweet orange, lavender, sweet basil, peppermint, Roman chamomile and patchouli essential oils to create the ideal blend for a soothing, peaceful aromatic experience; Each essential oil is carefully sourced from around the world, and the blend is bottled in the United States.
If you don’t like Lavender, try Aura Cacia Sweet Orange Essential Oil — it has a calming, yet uplifting citrus scent. Great for a diffuser!
The CBD Cookbook for Beginners (BYO CBD Oil, I have yet to find a fave I love)
CBD, or cannabidiol, is the latest, most popular trend people are turning to for its myriad of touted benefits. It's quoted to be "a kind of full-body massage at the molecular level" * (New York Times).
Now you can incorporate CBD in your daily fare that will have you:
Making your own CBD butter, oils, tinctures, and flour.
Entertaining with Spicy Nuts, Lemon Cocktail Crackers, Baked Artichoke Dip, and Cheesy Olive Bites.
Enjoying a healthy meal with The Best Kale Salad, or warm up with Coconut Chicken Curry.
Customizing your own CBD gummies or baking a decadent Orange Almond Cake for a celebration.
I take these daily, every evening. Magnesium Glycinate is specially formulated to help support healthy relaxation support for those exposed to occasional stress.*
Weighted Blanket (15lbs)
It took me a bit to get on the weighted blanket train, but once I did, I haven’t looked back.
According to data from Penn Medicine, a weighted blanket works through pressure therapy — the weight it puts on your body induces calm the same way being hugged, held or stroked would.
* This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult your doctor before starting any supplements or items on this list. By reading this blog you take full responsibility for your health and wellbeing.
